SAN FRANCISCO --The California Commission on Health and Safety and
Workers' Compensation has released several reports
as a result of studies conducted by independent researchers under contract with
the commission.

To broaden the campaign against workers' compensation fraud and promote a more
evenhanded approach to the problem, "A Report on the Campaign Against Workers'
Compensation Fraud" recommends distributing to employers and insurers fraud
notices or warnings similar to those given to workers. These notices could either
specifically target employers, providers and insurers or be combined with public
notices and warnings currently used.

"Recommendations: Information for Injured Workers" contains suggestions for
improving the information given to employees about workers' compensation and
on-the-job-injuries. The recommendations include ways to improve printed information
distributed by state information and assistance officers and claims administrators,
and ways to clarify benefit notices and improve on the timing of the most problematic
notices.

Another commission-initiated "Study
of the Cost of Pharmaceuticals in Workers' Compensation" reports that almost
all workers' compensation pharmacy costs in California are higher than most
other states' systems. The report recommends requiring generic drugs to fill
prescriptions, except when the medical provider specifies "dispense as written,"
and that insurers and employers approve a limited first fill of prescriptions
even if the workers'compensation claim has not been accepted. Additional recommendations
included in the report are also intended to reduce workers' compensation pharmaceutical
costs.